South Africa - Tunisia predictions and free betting tips [24/01/2024]

Today at 3rd round in Group E of the Africa Cup of Nations, a match between the South Africa and Tunisia national teams is about to kick-off.

South Africa National Team

The South Africa national team sits at the second place in their group in the Africa Cup of Nations after two rounds. In the initial match, the team faced a defeat against Mali, closing with a 0:2 score. Percy Tau failed to net a penalty in the first half, and within six minutes into the second half, South Africa conceded two goals and couldn't manage to make use of their attacking moments. The second-round match, however, saw a more vibrant and efficient game, routing Namibia with a 4:0 score. This time around, Percy Tau effectively capitalised on the penalty, and Zvane netted a double.

Prior to the ACN, the team sped to victory against Morocco in ACN's qualifiers, which offset their unexpected defeat against Rwanda World Cup qualifiers and their recent 0:0 stalemate in a friendly match against Lesotho. The South Africa lineup lacks famous European forwards Lyle Foster, due to mental health issues, and Lebo Mothiba because of an injury.

The squad's main hope in the attack is vested in Percy Tau from Egypt's Al Ahly and Mihlali Mayambela from Cyprus's Aris. However, the latter has spent limited time on the pitch throughout the tournament. Most of the team's players represent local leagues, rendering South Africa's squad less stellar but highly driven toward achieving success in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Tunisia National Team

Tunisia's national team, initially considered the favourite in their Africa Cup of Nations group, surprisingly finds itself at the bottom after two rounds. Their first match resulted in a 0:1 defeat against Namibia. They didn't create significant moments and had a low expected goals index. Their second match against Mali ended in a 1:1 draw, also lacking resplendent attack positions. Youssef Msakni and Slimane fell short in converting their opportunities, and the team had to settle for a single point.

In spite of lackluster outcomes on ACN, Tunisia arrived for the tournament on the back of some robust performances, netting 7 goals, keeping a clean sheet, and sealing 3 wins in the last 4 matches, including critical World Cup qualifying games. Young talent Hannibal Mejbri is missing from the lineup, and experienced forward Taha Yassine Khenissi has seen limited game time. Elias Ashuri, who sparkled in Europe, and Naim Sliti so far have not impressed with their game. Youssef Msakni, assuming the position of the second forward, has brought experience to the squad, though it hasn't yet yielded the desired outcomes.

Tunisia must overcome its hurdles to revisit its favourite status and showcase the playing levels demonstrated during the World Cup qualifiers.

Head to head

The history of matches between the Tunisia and South Africa national teams has seen quite a few memorable encounters. The last match between these teams was staged on 27th January 2008 under the Africa Cup of Nations, where Tunisia claimed a victory with a 3:1 score. Earlier on 26th January 2006 in the Africa Cup of Nations, Tunisia also emerged victorious with a 2:0 score.

In a friendly match on 18th August 2004, the South Africa national team triumphed with a score of 2:0. Nevertheless, in another friendly match on 19th November 2003 Tunisia took the lead with a 2:0 result. In the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations, South Africa bested Tunisia in a penalty shootout in the third-place match following a draw in regulation time with a scoreline of 2:2.

Prediction for the South Africa - Tunisia match

South Africa doesn't boast high-profile names, but exhibit vibrant attack. However, team are immensely lucky with the schedule, and the match against their sternest competitor is slotted in the final round, when they had already collected 3 points in the match against the weakest, Namibia. Tunisia, for not wanting to repeat Ivory Coasts fate, needs to oust South Africa and secure chances of progressing from the group stage.